Chi Discussion Forum

I broke my collarbone, so doctor says 6 weeks off of running. I bought Chiwalking book and tried it out for short walk. Although I can’t swing my arms, I did feel some differences v Chirunning and I was hoping for some feedback.

1st - Chiwalking seems like Chirunning in slow motion! Kind of like when I practiced body sensing for running ...

2nd - i found it easier to allow twist my hips/spine walking v running, i think because of concept of straightening leg behind me

3rd - is it correct my foot lands out in front of where it normally would for running? In running i feel like i am letting my foot fall behind me after picking it up and got to the point where i felt I was landing on my center line, but w walking it feels like I am stepping out in front of that line even though its still under my center of gravity. I am landing midfoot. OK is that a good test? Maybe its because my center line is not angled as much, but it feels like I am stepping out in front of me more while walking.

studying pics of Danny some more and he indeed is stepping out in front, but when his full weight is on his leg it is lined up on the center line ... as opposed to running where I would normally land in the full supported position ...

Sorry to hear about your collarbone - we wish you a speedy recovery.

ChiWalking is so foundational to ChiRunning that it makes a lot of sense to learn ChiWalking first, or at least in addition.  Yes, indeed you do land a little bit in front of the target landing zone for for running, but it is still within the general range of under your center of gravity.  You shoot for contact just in front of the heel, whereas in ChiRunning, the contact should be midfoot or just behind the ball of the foot.  It sounds like you’ve perceived the similarities and differences pretty well.  Body sensing is the main thing either way.

Thanks.  I know I am itching for exercise, but I gotta say I am really liking this walking thing.  I was very skeptical!  I think I may keep it up as cross training when I get back to running.